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The meaning and origin of the expression: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

What's the meaning of the phrase 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'.

The proverb 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' puts forward the notion that, however difficult a task is, you can only complete it if you first start it.

What's the origin of the phrase 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'?

'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' is different in that it actually was coined in China. Any saying that is associated with ancient China is generally labelled as being the work of Confucius. This one isn't.

Westerners like myself, who don't speak Chinese and have no real knowledge or understanding of Chinese history and culture, need to tread carefully when making pronouncements about who did what in China over two thousand years ago. What is generally accepted by scholars with a better grasp of Chinese and China is this...

The proverb 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' is first found in the Tao Te Ching , which is a classical Chinese Taoist text usually credited to Laozi (a.k.a. Lao Tzu), and probably written between the 4th and 6th century BC. The original text is:

"A journey of a thousand li [a Chinese mile] starts beneath one's feet"

The Tao Te Ching, is not a neatly bound and dated book with a definitive ISBN number that you might buy on Amazon. There are numerous fragmentary copies differing in content, language and authorship and dating over several centuries. The authorship is uncertain and disputed and some scholars dispute even the existence of Lao Tzu, claiming him to be mythical sage rather than a real living person.

We might usefully consider the Tao Te Ching as having a similar standing in Chinese culture as Aesop's Fables has in the West. It is now widely believed that Aesop's Fables weren't written by one author and, even if they were, it wasn't Aesop who may well not have existed in the flesh.

The 'self-help' nature of the phrase has led to some parody, including this from the Anglo/Australian writer Kathy Lette:

A journey of self-discovery starts with a single step… But so does falling down a flight of stairs.

See also: the List of Proverbs .

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

• Chinese Characters
• Chinese Idioms
• Chinese Allegories
• Chinese Proverbs
• Chinese Riddles

Pinyin: Qiānlǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià.

Translation: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

千里之行 始于足下 conveys the idea that any significant or ambitious undertaking starts with small, incremental actions. It emphasizes the importance of taking the first step and initiating the journey towards a goal or destination. No matter how distant or challenging the objective may seem, progress can only be achieved by starting from where one is and taking the necessary actions. It encourages individuals to overcome inertia, fear, or doubt and emphasizes the power of perseverance and continuous effort in achieving long-term success.

“ 千里之行 ” (qiānlǐ zhī xíng) means “a journey of a thousand miles.” “ 始于 ” (shǐ yú) means “begins with” or “starts from.” “ 足下 ” (zú xià) refers to “under one’s feet” or “at one’s own position.”

Example Sentence: 无论目标有多遥远，只要你勇敢迈出第一步，千里之行始于足下。 Wúlùn mùbiāo yǒu duō yáoyuǎn, zhǐyào nǐ yǒnggǎn màichū dì yī bù, qiānlǐ zhī xíng shǐ yú zú xià. No matter how distant your goals may be, as long as you bravely take the first step, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

The sentence highlights the essence of the proverb by emphasizing the significance of initiating action and starting the journey towards one’s goals. It acknowledges that achieving distant objectives may seem challenging or intimidating, but it asserts that progress can only be made by taking the initial step forward. The sentence encourages individuals to overcome hesitation or inertia and emphasizes that every significant accomplishment begins with the courage to start and the determination to move forward.

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Idioms Meaning

journey of a thousand miles

The idiom “journey of a thousand miles” is a proverb which means that even the longest and most difficult journey begins with a single step.

1. “The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.”

2. “No matter how daunting the task, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”

3. “It’s a long road ahead, but remember, the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.”

The origin of this phrase is attributed to the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu in the 6th century BC.

What does the idiom “journey of a thousand miles” mean?

This idiom means that even the longest and most difficult journey begins with a single step.

Who said the phrase “journey of a thousand miles”?

This phrase is attributed to the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu in the 6th century BC.

• 1.1 Etymology
• 1.2 Pronunciation
• 1.3.1 Descendants

Chinese [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ].

From Tao Te Ching :

Proverb [ edit ]

• a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

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Lao Tzu: 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.'

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

The quote by Lao Tzu, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," encapsulates an essential and profound truth about life and achieving our goals. It emphasizes the significance of taking that initial step, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, as it is the catalyst that sets us on our path toward progress and transformation.At first glance, the meaning of this quote is straightforward. It suggests that any monumental endeavor, no matter how intimidating or daunting it may seem, must start with a single action. It reminds us that great achievements are not made overnight but rather through a series of consistent and deliberate actions taken over time. This quote serves as a reminder that every long and arduous journey is comprised of numerous small steps, each contributing to our overall progress.However, to truly delve into the depth of this quote, we can introduce an unexpected philosophical concept: the idea of the interconnectedness of all things. Building upon Lao Tzu's wisdom, we can explore the notion that our initial step not only sets us on our individual journey but also initiates a ripple effect, influencing the world around us.Imagine for a moment, the act of taking the first step is like dropping a pebble into a still pond. As the pebble breaks the surface of the water, it creates ripples that extend outward in ever-widening circles. Similarly, when we take that first step towards achieving our dreams, we create a ripple effect that can reach far beyond our immediate sphere of influence.For instance, consider the story of a young artist who decides to take that initial step and display their work publicly for the first time. Though they may feel small and insignificant in the grand scheme of the art world, their act of courage and vulnerability inspires someone who views their work. That person, in turn, becomes motivated to pursue their own creative endeavors, sparking a chain reaction of inspiration and creative expression.Moreover, the idea of interconnectedness can also be applied to personal growth and our impact on others. Volunteering our time or lending a helping hand to someone in need may seem like a small gesture, but its effects can be profound. By taking that single step, we not only make a positive difference in the lives of others but also cultivate a greater sense of compassion and empathy within ourselves.In essence, Lao Tzu's quote reminds us that no action is inconsequential. Every step we take holds the potential to create a ripple effect, both within ourselves and the world around us. It encourages us to be mindful of the choices we make and to recognize the power and significance of even the smallest actions.The concept of interconnectedness challenges us to acknowledge the immense influence our actions can have on the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us. It invites us to consider the profound interconnectedness that exists between individuals, communities, and the world as a whole.In conclusion, Lao Tzu's quote, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of initiating action and the power of individual choices. It reminds us that even the smallest step can start a journey of transformation and have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of others.By introducing the concept of interconnectedness, we are reminded of the ripple effect our actions can create. This philosophical idea adds a layer of depth and complexity to the quote, stimulating contemplation about the interconnected nature of our world and encouraging us to recognize the far-reaching consequences of our actions. So, let us remember to be mindful of the steps we take and the effects they may have - for the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and that step can change the world.

Lao Tzu: 'Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.'

Thomas jefferson: 'whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.'.

Tao Te Ching – Chapter 64

In order to follow the great Tao, we have to pay attention to the small. In the beginning of any endeavor, the problems and disturbances can be easily handled because they’re still minor. That means it’s the best time to plan, establish authority, and set the tone. We also pay attention to small increments that add up to big results, like a tree that grows tall over time, a construction that is built brick by brick, or a long journey that is completed step by step.

In walking this journey, the sages adhere to the principles of non-attachment, non-interference, and consistency. They see the way people obsess over things, only to lose them; the way they get into someone else’s business, only to fail at their own; and the way they start something on a solid footing, only to slack off and stumble. They take note of all this, and learn from it.

The natural result is that the sages wish to reduce their desires and not go after material things. They unlearn conventional ideas and pursue their own ideals. They emulate nature and look after themselves — without presuming to lecture anyone else.

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Translation Notes

This chapter is the source of the well-known saying: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” The quote is sometimes misattributed to Confucius, but it actually comes from Lao Tzu.

The first part of this saying is a reasonable translation for 千里之行, which is literally “a thousand li ‘s journey,” where li is the ancient Chinese measure of distance. Compared against modern measures, li is about half a kilometer or a third of a mile — so strictly speaking, the journey of a thousand li is more like the journey of 300 miles. In actual usage, 千里 means a long distance rather than a specific length. This happens to be the typical usage of “a thousand miles” in English as well, so we can use it as the exact linguistic equivalent of 千里.

The second half of this saying, 始於足下, is literally “begins at foot below,” or “begins beneath the foot.” Overall, the expression says the small piece of ground below one’s feet is the starting point of a long journey. This makes perfect sense, and is arguably better than the common but erroneous “one step.”

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A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

Meaning of “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

This Chinese proverb means that a person must begin his or her journey to reach their goal or destination. It is a motivational proverb that expresses deep insight about determination and avoiding procrastination. It means a first step needs if we intend to finish a task or a thought on time . In other words, this expression tells that the great things commence with simple beginnings.

This proverb also stretches across two paradoxical phrases , ‘thousand miles’ and ‘single step’ while the emphasis is on a ‘single step.’ If an initiative is taken, the rest of the venture falls into place, and the mission starts. It also means that a voyage marked as a milestone starts with a single step. This proverb applies to a wide range of different circumstances where action needs to be taken for the completion of a task. Hence, in this saying ‘journey’ means a task/action and that it does not stay limited to traveling only. However, a step is an initiative or a starting point. A ‘thousand miles’ shows the longevity of a journey, while a ‘single step’ is an initial move. In other words, no matter how ambiguous the task is, how long the journey is or laborious the work is, a movement is always required to begin it.

Origin of “A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step”

“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step” is a saying by an ancient Chinese philosopher. The original text is “A journey of a thousand li starts beneath one’s feet.”  Here li means distance. This quote was first used in Chinese classic text; Tao Te Ching attributed to Lao Tzu, a renowned Chinese philosopher. It was probably written between the 4 th or 6 th century.

Tzu’s powerful words have always been shadowed by renowned people. American President, John F Kennedy reintroduced this quote “A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” in 1963 about the first nuclear test ban agreement.

Examples in Literature

The journey of a thousand miles… by Ronnie James Corbin

“I’m pretty drunk right now , But my thoughts are clear enough to say, I believe in you. I believe in your dreams . I believe you can overcome your flaws. I believe you could write the masterpiece of our generation. You could cure cancer, bring world peace, and feed the hungry. You can show love. You can breathe your positive presence into the air. I want you to go forth and shine like the beautiful star that you are. Together we can demolish our egos. Start on the path to purity. They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, So hold my hand, and follow me, As I take mine.”

Ronnie James Corbin is an Ohio-based American poet wrote this poem for his sweetheart requesting her to join the poet to defeat every other thing, including cancer. The use of the first person and the second person to counter it balances the poem. The poem is a marriage proposal after the presentation of both figures. It gets clear in the third last line where the long journey is a long life, while the next line shows the invitation as “hold my hand”.

There Is No Easy Way (But There Is a Way) by Willie Nelson

Now that we’re back together the battle is half won We’ll try to save a part of yesterday I know it won’t be easy but at least we have begun There is no easy way but there is a way We both could use some understanding trust would help And the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step And is love not worth the price we’ll have to pay There is no easy way but there is a way We both could use some understanding trust would help And the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step And is love not worth the price we’ll have to pay There is no easy way but there is a way

Willie Nelson, a songwriter and poet, wrote this song to convey his colleague and beloved that they could start the relationship again as there is always a way even if nothing is easy. For this purpose, he has used this proverb as a repetition as well as a refrain in the last two lines of both stanzas .

Journey of a Thousand Miles My Story By Lang Lang and David Ritz

This is an autobiography of a Chinese pianist Lang Lang. He co-wrote the book with David Ritz to underline his hard struggle when moving from a western Chinese city to Beijing. It is not just the story of a pianist prodigy, but a family saga. The writer includes his whole family, who supported Lang Lang until his stardom. His father’s tireless struggle to make his song a star goes a long way. Therefore, the title of the biography shows the courage and sacrifice that a father has demonstrated to make his son a star.

Examples in Sentences as Literary Devices

Example #1: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and is finally covered after a time.” Here the proverb shows the journey that is covered only when a step is taken.

Example #2: “ He is an epitome of a journey of a thousand miles beings with a single step as he always takes a small step to do everything and completes it on time.” Here the proverb has been used as a metaphor as it shows the person as the model.

Example #3: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step is like a task that has many parts, and if a small part is done, it means the big task will be done too.” The proverb has been used as a simile as the use of “like” shows.

Example #4: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step forward or ends with a single step back.” This proverb also shows the use of a paradox a journey is of thousand miles, but it starts with a single step.

Example #5: “ A journey as long as a thousand mile begins with a single step” shows its use as a simile as it compares the longevity of a journey with a thousand miles. However, the proverb has been twisted a bit with the words “as long as”.

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老子 Lǎozi (c. 6th – 5th century BC) was a Chinese monist philosopher ; also called Lao Zi , Lao Tzu , Lao Tse , or Lao Tze . The Tao Te Ching (道德經, Pinyin : Dào Dé Jīng , or Dao De Jing ) represents the sole document generally attributed to Laozi.

• 1.1 Tao Te Ching
• 3 Misattributed
• 4 Quotes about Laozi
• 6 References
• 7.1 Chinese versions

Quotes [ edit ]

• Attributed to Laozi. Laozi speaking to Confucius. Quoted in James Legge, Texts of Taoism, 34; Quoted from Will Durant , Our Oriental Heritage .

Tao Te Ching [ edit ]

• Ch. 1, as translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao (1904)
• Also as Tao called Tao is not Tao.
• Ch. 1, Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English (1972)
• Ch. 1, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Ch. 1, as translated by J.H.McDonald (1996) [Public domain translation]
• Ch. 1, as interpreted by Ursula K. LeGuin (1998)
• Ch. 1, as translated by Thomas Cleary (2004)
• Chapter 1, translated by Yuhui Liang
• Chapter 23 as translated by Lionel Giles

It is hidden but always present. I don't know who gave birth to it. It is older than God .

• Ch. 4, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Chapter 4, translated by Yuhui Liang
• Ch. 5, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Chapter 5, translated by Yuhui Liang
• Ch. 6, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Ch. 14, translated by Arthur Waley, 1934
• A longer paraphrase of this quotation, with modern embellishments, is often attributed to Laozi: see "Misattributed" below.
• Ch. 21, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Ch. 22, as translated by Lin Yutang (1948)
• Ch. 25, as translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao (1904)

Thus the Master is available to all people and doesn't reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn't waste anything. This is called embodying the light.

• Ch. 27, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• As quoted in In Search of King Solomon's Mines‎ (2003) by Tahir Shah, p. 217
• A true traveller has no fixed plan, and is not intent on arriving.
• Ch. 33, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Variant translation by Lin Yutang : "He who knows others is learned; he who knows himself is wise".
• Ch. 48, as translated by Raymond B. Blakney (1955)

*To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.

• Ch. 52 as translated by Arthur Waley (1934)
• Variant translation: The more prohibitions there are, the poorer the people will be.
• Qiān lǐ zhī xíng shǐ yú zú xià.
• Ch. 64, line 12
• Variant translations:
• A journey of a thousand [miles] starts with a single step.
• A journey of a thousand miles started with a first step.
• As translated by Dr. Hilmar Klaus
• Every journey begins with a single step.
• Chapter 72, translated by Gia Fu Feng
• People starved because the ruler taxed too heavily.
• Ch. 81 as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Chapter 81, translated by Yuhui Liang

Disputed [ edit ]

• Ch. 59 as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)

Misattributed [ edit ]

• From Lu Tong (also spelled as Lu Tung)
• This quote's origin is actually unknown (see "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" on Wiktionary ). This quotation has also been misattributed to Confucius and Guan Zhong .
• Attributed to Laozi in self-help books and on social media, this quotation is of unknown origin and date.
• Tell me and I [will] forget. Show me and I [will] remember. Involve me and I [will] understand.
• From Xun Zi 荀子
• This is a paraphrase of lines in " The Second Coming " by William Butler Yeats .
• 生命是一连串的自发的自然变化。逆流而动只会徒增伤悲。接受现实，万物自然循着规律发展。
• Also: "Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner"
• Appears in Stephen Mitchell's rendering into English of Tao Te Ching chapter 9; but this is an interpretation of Mitchell's which does not appear in the original text or other recognized English translations. Repeated without attribution in Gilliland, Hide Your Goat , a positive thinking book published in 2013.
• Attributed to "Jimmy R." in Days of Healing, Days of Joy (1987) [1]
• Only the final bold section is connected to Laozi (see Ch. 17 of Tao Te Ching above). The origin of the added first section is unclear.
• This is actually a Mexican proverb [2]

Quotes about Laozi [ edit ]

• Oliver Benjamin , as quoted in "Big Lebowski Spawns Religion" by Yusuf Laher in Don't Panic Online (11 April 2011)
• Rev. Dwayne Eutsey, in the Introduction of the Dudeist holy book The Dude De Ching (2010)
• William Howitt , in The History of the Supernatural (1863), p. 321
• James Joyce , in Finnegans Wake (1939)
• 1982 interview in Conversations with Ursula Le Guin
• 2002 interview in Conversations with Ursula Le Guin
• Lin Yutang , The Wisdom of China and India (New York: Random House, 1942), "Laotse, the Book of Tao ( The Tao Teh Ching )", Introduction, p. 579
• Lin Yutang , From Pagan to Christian (Cleveland and New York: World Publishing, 1959), Ch. 4: "The Peak of Mount Tao", pp. 107–108
• Henry Miller , in My Bike & Other Friends (1977), p. 12
• Bertrand Russell , in The Problem of China (1922), Ch. XI - Chinese and Western Civilization Contrasted
• Eckhart Tolle , A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose (2005)
• Yuhui Liang, in Tao Te Ching: The English Version That Makes Good Sense (2018), p. 121

See also [ edit ]

• Ageless Wisdom teachings
• Benjamin Hoff
• Tao Te Ching

References [ edit ]

• ↑ Jean Howarth; Mike Walton (1995). Moments of Reflection . Heinemann Educational Publishers.  
• ↑ Fayek S. Hourani, Daily Bread for Your Mind and Soul: A Handbook of Transcultural Proverbs and Sayings .  

External links [ edit ]

• 15 Tao Te Ching English translations @GeekFarm.org
• An in-deep introduction to Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching , providing answers to the difficult and important questions about the Tao Te Ching by Yuhui Liang.
• Illustrated Translations in English by multiple authors: "TaoTeChingMe.com - translations and interpretations
• Tao Te King as translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao (1904)
• Interpretation by Stephen Mitchell: On-line Tao Te Ching .
• Translation by j.h. mcdonald : Religions and Scriptures: Tao Te Ching .
• An online translation by Charles Muller : Professor Muller's site: Daode jing .
• Translation by Chad Hansen: On-line Tao Te Ching : both English and modern Chinese . Also Zhuangzi .
• An Informal online interpolation by Ron Hogan is available in several formats at Beatrice.com: Tao Te Ching . An iPod formatted version of this translation is available at SwiftlyTilting.com: The Tao Te Ching for your iPod
• Translation by Sonja Elen Kisa : On-line Tao Te Ching (selected poems) going by the name The Flow and the Power of Good
• Translation from the City University of Hong Kong: On-line Tao Te Ching . Classical and Vernacular Chinese, and English.
• 老子 Lǎozĭ 道德經 Dàodéjīng - 拼音 Pīnyīn+王弼 WángBì+馬王堆 Mǎwángduī+郭店 Guōdiàn+大一生水 Tàiyī Shēngshǔi
• Interpolation by Peter Merel: On-line Tao Te Ching .
• Commentary by Swami Nirmalananda Giri: Commentary on the Tao Te Ching .
• Wayne L. Wang The Dynamic Tao and Its Manifestations : Tao and modern scientific thoughts
• Tao De Ching (GNL's Not Lao)
• Sanderson Beck's Interpretation
• Translations and commentary by Nina Correa
• A "plain English" online interpolation of Chapters 1–37 ("Tao") by the Universal Dialectic Institute: Tao: The Way of Nature
• Free mp3 downloads of Tao Te Ching narrated by Michael Scott of ThoughtAudio.com .
• Multiple English translations of Lao Tzu's the Tao Te Ching - Compare translations side-by-side

Chinese versions [ edit ]

• Comparison Chart Chinese characters with PinYin spellings of the Wang Bi, HeShang Gong, Mawangdui A and B, Guodian texts.
• Bamboo slips of the Guodian text Photographs of the Guodian Bamboo Slips with modern equivalents of the Chinese characters, PinYin and Wade Giles spellings, and English definitions.

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• People from China
• Philosophers from China

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“The journey of a thousand miles…”

Jens Chapman

One common translation of the remainder of this famous ancient quote by Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu, is that the journey “starts with a single step.”

It is with this insight that I would like to introduce you to the Evidence-Based Spine-Care Journal (EBSJ), a new scientific journal organized through AOSpine International, the largest multispecialty, truly global spine society. Of course, a reasonable first question to ask is “Why another spine journal?” A brief review of where we came from and where we are intending to head may provide insight as well as reveal its purpose.

AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen)—the venerable and unique surgical organization—recently celebrated its 50th year. The simple yet profound concept of this organization was based on four principles, which later became known as the AO's “four pillars of cooperation”:

• Documentation of all patients
• Development of instrumentation and implants (which has been cutting edge!)
• Teaching (which is still unsurpassed)

Since its inception, the AO has espoused many of the primary principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) before it was formally described. AO values and activities have encouraged evaluation of results, critical appraisal to provide context for drawing inferences and using these as a basis for directing future basic and clinical research. This integrated and ever-evolving process sets the stage for the AO community to be an active player in EBM.

Within the spine-care community we have remained faithful to the core values, yet have found it frequently difficult to offer highest quality source materials for our hundreds of annual spine courses around the world. This has made it challenging to teach using an evidence-based approach versus relying mainly on opinion-based resources.

With this inaugural issue, EBSJ is the first step toward assisting the global community of spine-care professionals with finding, describing and developing the highest quality evidence in its very own, unique format. In doing so, EBSJ expands on the first step that was EBSS (Evidence-Based Spine Surgery).

Behind the substitution of one consonant within the title change from EBSS to the new EBSJ are a number of rather substantial changes:

• Its community-centric approach: EBSJ's format and publication model will make it much easier for members of the international community to contribute. With this approach, EBSJ will be a better vehicle for uniting AOSpine surgeons and other providers from around the world.
• A more efficient production model: Combined with eventual MEDLINE® indexing, this model will allow for broader dissemination and stronger impact across disciplines.
• A directive to enhance the quality of evidence in spine care: With our evidence-based focus, presentation and distribution, we can expand upon the overall quality of evidence in the field.

This inaugural issue of EBSJ includes research submissions from the first Global Spine Conference held last June in San Francisco. This is an excellent start to establishing EBSJ's commitment to the international community, while featuring some interesting topics and novel approaches to treatment of spine-related problems.

These lofty goals set forth a literal “journey of (more than) a thousand miles,” with meetings and gatherings around the world from a group of dedicated individuals who have committed themselves to the concept of a truly novel and hopefully very worthwhile spine journal that surpasses the scope of existing journals.

Another possible translation of the Chinese proverb is that the journey “…begins beneath one's feet.” This is perhaps a reference to beginning where one is and knowing where one wants to go from there. Applied to our current situation, we would like to explore in unprecedented depth the current status of the evidence on any given spine topic, thus allowing us to consider how to improve its quality. We may not like the quality of the current evidence, but we can significantly enhance it by setting on a clear path of many steps and many feet, geared towards providing meaningful and clinically relevant evidence for spine care.

To set us in motion for this journey, regular features of EBSJ will include:

• Systematic reviews on timely and sometimes controversial topics. This allows us to see “where we are at” with regard to the evidence on those topics. We hope this stimulates discussion and encourages researchers to enhance the quality of evidence. It hopefully will also stimulate new interest in exploring certain topics under a new light.
• Original research reports. As a reporting requirement for EBSJ, studies must follow specific guidelines accounting for patients and follow-up based on reporting standards from CONSORT and others, detailing patient characteristics and reporting of methods based on the PICO or PPO concept. No other journal makes these specifications. To require these is a step toward enhanced credibility.
• Appraisal of original studies. We feature methodological reviews and Class of Evidence (CoE) appraisals of original studies by PhD-level researchers with expertise in clinical research and epidemiology. This provides authors and the spine community with insight into how to enhance the quality of future studies. It enhances understanding of how to perform and use research from an evidence-based perspective by including critique of important methodological components that can bias results. Future researchers can gain significant insight by considering these areas and planning studies which seek to decrease bias.
• Methodological assistance. We will offer an opportunity for assistance to authors with topics of importance to the global community who otherwise would not have access to methodological expertise or statistical analysis. This will broaden the chance for research-minded spine surgeons around the world to contribute in a meaningful fashion to the knowledge base of spine care.
• Brief educational pieces on how to effectively use and conduct research. These will facilitate an understanding of how to find, understand, create and report the highest quality research.
• An evidence-based case discussion. This will address the recurring issue of outliers in actual daily care in the face of ever-changing guidelines and evidence-based practice recommendations.

You will note that each of the studies in this inaugural issue has limitations; in fact, all studies have limitations. It is a well-honed academic practice to find fault and limitations in any research, especially clinical research. This applies even to recent multimillion dollar studies conceived by some of the brightest minds in medicine, public health, and epidemiology. Only by taking a step back and making constructive suggestions that improve the quality of studies and how they are reported, will we be able to enhance the credibility and quality of the evidence in spine care overall. Hence I am proud of the authors who were willing to stick their necks out and contribute to a brand new spine journal. By sharing their research in EBSJ, they are starting the process of systematically and profoundly changing the way we deliver spine care, by incorporating evidence into our practices in a clinically meaningful fashion. I very much respect and appreciate the authors who submitted to our first issue for taking the first actual steps in our journey.

As spine care professionals, our first priority is to provide our patients with the highest quality of care possible; this includes consideration of the very basic evidence that what we do is beneficial and acknowledging what the limitations may be. As teachers—whether through AOSpine courses, in our hospitals, or at our medical schools—we should increasingly rely on scientifically founded, evidence-based materials to replace the more subjective impression-based teaching contents of the past. Our literature must provide a higher quality of evidence so that we can practice and teach from an evidence-based perspective, including understanding where the evidence falls short.

Whether we like it or not, as healthcare systems around the world increasingly feel economic constraints, mounting pressure will be placed on our spine community to provide high quality evidence of efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness to support funding and reimbursement decisions. This process can be a most painful one, especially if changes in customary health care delivery models are brought forth. Unfortunately, there are plenty of examples where the good name of “evidence” is employed for political decisions rather than using scientific publications as a starting point for discussion. The discussion should include objective review of the studies, always with an eye towards leaving room for human exceptions and with an understanding of the limitations of research to provide conclusive evidence for all situations. Our own literature must provide a consistently higher quality of evidence that effectively documents the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of what we do so that policy and decision makers have a clear picture of the strengths and limitations of what we do.

With EBSJ, we have an opportunity to move forward on the journey, a grand march, toward higher quality research and evidence in our field. I invite you as a reader, author or reviewer to join in our mission of setting the stage for evidence-based practice and influencing the future of spine surgery. Simply go to the EBSJ tab on the AOSpine website to learn more about this exciting resource. We hope you will become engaged in and join our “journey of a thousand miles.”

Welcome to the inaugural issue of EBSJ!

Man walks barefoot for over 2,000 gruelling miles to break world record

A Polish man has completed the world’s longest barefoot journey by walking and running 3,409.75 km (2,118.72 mi) around the Iberian Peninsula without any footwear.

Paweł Durakiewicz, 45, began his journey in the south of France near the border with Spain.

He travelled along the border before following the peninsula’s coastline in an anticlockwise direction, eventually finishing in San José in the south of Spain.

Part of the route led along the popular Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail.

Covering 20-50 km (12-31 mi) each day, Paweł completed the entire journey in just under six months.

He beat the previous record – set in 2021 by Dutchman Antonius Nootenboom – by 390 km (242.3 mi).

Paweł lives in the Sicilian countryside, where he says he’s walked “mostly barefoot” for the past six years.

He trained for the record attempt by walking and running 10 km every day for five months.

Besides a few burns and cuts, he says his feet suffered “no serious injuries” during his record-breaking trek.

He burned his feet on the road’s hot asphalt during the first month of the trip while walking in temperatures nearing 40°C (104°F). After treating his feet with gel squeezed from an Aloe vera plant, he began running to reduce the amount of contact he made with the road’s surface.

Paweł says the hardest aspect of the journey was finding the motivation to continue after surpassing the previous record.

He also encountered unexpected difficulties such as being stopped “many times” by the police, as well as having to navigate busy roads with no pedestrian path.

At night, he slept in a camper van driven by a friend who followed along behind, and he mostly ate fresh fruits and vegetables which he cooked in the van.

Paweł undertook this challenge to raise money for the Diamond Soul Foundation, a charity he co-founded which supports people in their recovery from addiction. They also organize free one-week camps in Sicily for underprivileged children.

Paweł also did it “to show that ordinary people are capable of doing extraordinary things if they put in enough effort, self-discipline, and self-determination”.

After successfully achieving the world record, he said: “It feels great, and I made my childhood dream come true.

“Also, because of the addiction I almost destroyed myself and was at the very bottom, and now I have the record and I am helping others.

“We are a miracle to be discovered and not a problem to be fixed. I am very grateful that I could experience this trip.”

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